Method and device for spindleless spinning

ABSTRACT

A METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR SPINDLESS SPINNING. A HALLOW SPINNING CHAMBER IS ROTATED ABOUT AN AXIS WHICH INTERSECTS AN OPEN SIDE OF THE SPINNING CHAMBER NORMAL TO THE GENERAL PLANE OF THE OPEN SIDE. SUCH ROTATION CAUSES ESCAPE OF AIR UNDE THE INFLUENCE OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCES FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE SPINNING CHAMBER THROUGH APERTURES PROVIDED FOR THIS PURPOSE IN THE WALL THEREOF. AS A RESULT OF THE ESCAPE, A CONTINUOUS FLOW OF AIR IS ASPIRATED THROUGH THE OPEN SIDE. A STREAM OF FIBERS IS FED INTO THE OPEN SIDE AND IS CENTRIFUGALY DEPOSITED ON THE INNER CIRCUMFERENTIAL SURFACE OF THE CHAMBER AND CONVERTED INTO A YARN. A PULSING MOTION IS SUPERIMPOSED UPON THE FLOW OF AIR BEFORE THE LATTER CAN ESCAPE THROUGH THE APERTURES TO THEREBY DISLOGED AND EJECT WITH THE FLOW OF AIR SUCH PARTICULATE CONTAMINANTS AS TEND TO ACCUMULATE IN THE CHAMBER AND IN THE APERTURES.

Dec. 7, 1971 J, RAJNOHA ETAL 3,624,995

METHOD AND DEVICE FDR sPINDLELEss SPINNING Filed Feb. 18, 1970 'IN ENTOR nubn QAJMIM umu: Bale;

.ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,624,995 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SPINDLELESS SPINNING Jaroslav Rajnoha, Tyniste nad Orlici, and Ladislav Bures,

Usti nad Orlici, Czechoslovakia, assignors to Elitex Zavody Textilniho Sh'ojirenstv Generalni, Liberec,

Czechoslovakia Filed Feb. 18, 1970, Ser. No. 12,191 Claims priority, application Czechoslovakia, Feb. 20, 1969, 1,183/69 Int. Cl. D01h 1/12 U.S. Cl. 57--58.91 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and a device for spindleless spinning. A hollow spinning chamber is rotated about an axis which intersects an open side of the spinning chamber normal to the general plane of the open side. Such rotation causes escape of air under the influence of centrifugal forces from the interior of the spinning chamber through apertures provided for this purpose in the wall thereof. As a result of the escape, a continuous flow of air is aspirated through the open side. A stream of fibers is fed into the open side and is centrifugally deposited on the inner circumferential surface of the chamber and converted into a yarn. A pulsing motion is superimposed upon the flow of air before the latter can escape through the apertures to thereby dislodge and eject with the flow of air such particulate contaminants as tend to accumulate in the chamber and in the aperutres.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to spindleless spinning machines, and more particularly to spinning machines employing rotary spinning chambers.

Still more specifically the invention relates to a method of cleaning rotary spinning chambers of spindleless spinning machines, and to an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Spinning machines employing rotary spinning chambers for continuous spindleless spinning of fibers are already well known. They operate on the principle that a hollow spinning chamber is rotated at high speed and bers are introduced into its interior. The spinning chamber is provided in its circumferential wall with apertures through which air is ejected under the influence of centrifugal force from the interior of the spinning chamber. Fibers are fed through an open side of the spinning chamber and become deposited on an inner circumferential wall of the spinning chamber under the influence of centrifugal force. They slide on this wall, which advantageously tapers in axial direciton of the spinning chamber, that is in direction of the axis of rotation, and become collected on a collecting surface where they become converted into a yarn in known manner. Such an apparatus is for instance disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,370,413 (Rajnoha et al.). Reference may be had for specific details concerning the construction and operation of machines of the type in question, to that patent.

Generally speaking, these known prior-art devices comprise two main constituent components, namely the actual spinning apparatusthat is the rotary spinning chamberand the ber separating device which includes a carding roller. Usually, a straight channel connects the carding roller of the ber separating device with the interior of the rotary spinning chamber. Generally speaking, a cylindrical portion of the liber separator housing extends into the open side of the spinning chamber and has a circumferential outer surface facing the inner circumice ferential surface of the spinning chamber. The outlet of the channel through which the fibers are supplied is provided in this circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion.

The ow of air aspirated into the open side of the spinning chamber and subsequently again ejected under the iniiuence of centrifugal force through the air escape apertures of the spinning chamber, carries along the fibers dust and other impurities supplied from the carding roller, it being understood that the carding roller separates the brous sliver into its constituent fibers, and that the sliver contains in addition to the bers also dust and certain impurities. The bers, the dust and the other impurities are accumulated on the inner circumferential wall of the chamber by centrifugal force, and the bers slide on the inner tapered wall to the fiber selecting surface where they become converted into a yarn. The accumulation of dust and impurities, however, is clearly undesirable for several reasons. This includes the fact that they tend to unbalance the spinning chamber which rotates at high speed so that even a minor imbalance will tend to disadvantageously affect the proper operation of the chamber. Clearly, this reduces the lifetime of the spinning chamber and adversely affects the productivity of the apparatus and the quality of the resulting product. Therefore, the operator is required to frequently stop the machine and to remove the accumulated impurities, thus necessitating not only the constant or near-constant presence of an operator but also necessitating shut-down of the machine while the cleaning operation is carried out. This is uneconomical. In addition, impurities which accumulate in the region of the air escape openings tend to decrease the cross-sectional area of these openings and thus disadvantageously influence the underpressure existing in the chamber, and increasing the number of yarn breakages and the quality-particularly the smoothnessof the produced yarn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide a method whereby apparatus of the type under discussion is in effect self-cleaning, so that dust and other impurities need no longer be removed by an attendant.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the method.

In pursuance of the above objects, and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a method of spindleless spinning which comprises, briefly stated, the steps of rotating a hollow spinning chamber about an axis which intersects an open side of the spinning chamber normal to the general plane of the open side whereby, as a result of centrifugal ejection of air through apertures in the wall of the spinning chamber, a flow of air is continuously aspirated into the chamber through the open side thereof. A stream of fibers is fed into the open side for centrifugal deposition on an inner circumferential surface on the chamber and is there converted into a yarn. Upon the ow of air there is superimposed, in accordance with the present invention, a pulsing motion before the air is ejected through the apertures, for thereby dislodging and ejecting with the ow of air particulate contaminants which tend to accumulate in the chamber and in the apertures.

According to the invention the airow in the chamber is dissipated and guided by feeding the incoming fibers in such a manner that they are directed onto the fiber collecting surface of the spinning chamber in direction normal to the surface and from a minimum distance therefrom. The yarn itself is formed at a point which is as remote as possible from the location where the fibers are deposited on the surface, the purpose being to permit the dust and other impurities to be sucked off by the airstream moving through the chamber, whereas the fibers which adhere to the wall of the spinning chamber slide along the same to the location where they become converted into a yarn, in straightened and oriented condition. This prevents the deposition and accumulation of dust and impurities, and the inclusion of dust and impurities in the yarn which is being formed. This, in conjunction With the occurrence the orientation of the fibers during sliding movement thereof along the inner circumferential wall of the spinning chamber from the location where they impinge upon the wall to the location where they become formed into a yarn, increases the smoothness, evenness and strength of the yarn which is being formed.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side-elevational section illustrating an apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on a line normal to the plane of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating a different embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plane detail view of the apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side-elevational view of FIG. 4 as seen in the direction of the arrow associated with the latter figure; and y,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectioned detail view illustrating a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing firstly the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 it will be seen that reference numeral 1 generally identifies a housing of a fiber separating device in which there is mounted a carding or separating roller 2 on a shaft 3 for rotation about the axis of the shaft. The shaft in turn is mounted in bearings 4 of suitable construction and provided at its free end with a pulley 5 so that the shaft and thereby the roller 2 may be driven by a non-illustrated motive source. Also mounted in the housing 1 is a condenser 6 into which a sliver 7 of fibrous material is fed, to be condensed in known manner and to pass to the carding roller 2 which separates the sliver into its constitutent fibers. A continuous connecting channel 9 is provided and is inclined in the direction of rotation of the roller 2, communicating with the cavity in which the roller 2 rotates. Thus, fibers separated by the roller 2 enter into and advance along the channel 9. The inlet of the channel 9 is connected with the ambient atmosphere so that air can enter into it as suggested by the arrow S2 (see FIG. 2)..

There is further provided a rotary spinning chamber 11 which is surrounded by a housing 10 and mounted on a shaft 12 which is in turn journaled in bearings 13 and provided at its free end with a pulley 14 so that rotation may be transmitted by a non-illustrated motive source to the shaft and thereby to the rotary spinning chamber 11. The latter is provided with a plurality of air escape or ventilation openings 17 communicating with the interior.

Into the open side of the spinning chamber, which open side extends normal to the axis of rotation defined by the shaft 12, there extends a portion 19 of the housing 1, and the channel 9 has its outlet opening in this portion 19, juxtaposed quite closely with the inner circumferential surface 15 of the spinning chamber 11. Thus, fibers ejected from the channel 9 are ejected at least substantially normal with reference to the surface 15 and will then slide-because the surface 15 diverges conically in direction away from the open side and the spinning chamber-to the groove 16 which is annular and surrounds the axis of rotation of the spinning chamber 11. The Afibers adhere under the inuence of the centrifugal force to the surface 15 and, when they enter the groove 16, will accumulate therein into the form of a yarn which can then be withdrawn in known manner. Because the groove 16 is `quite far removed from the point where the fibers first contact the surface 15, the fibers have the opportunity during movement from this point to the groove 16, to become straightened and oriented in their direction of movement. This improves the quality of the yarn which is obtained.

In accordance with the present invention the housing portion 19 is provided with one or more projections 18 having in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 an inclination 20 of substantially wing-shaped configuration. The projections 18 are provided in proximity of the outlet of the channel 9, A hollow pin 22 passes through the axis of the spinning chamber 11 in the portion 19 for the purpose of withdrawn yarn 23 which is formed in the groove 16.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 the portion 19 may be provided with one or more projections 21 of rib-shaped configuration, and the channel 9 may be provided upstream proximal to the outlet thereof with a bend 24.

The end and side elevation of the liber separating section of the device is evident in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the configuration of the portion 19 of the housing 1 is evident in detail in FIG. 6. It should be noted in FIG. 6 the channel 9 is provided with the bend 24 as shown in FIG. 3, instead of being straight as in FIGS. l and 2.

In operation, sliver 7 is fed into the condenser 6 where it undergoes condensing and passes into the cavity housing the separating or carding roller 2. The carding roller rotates in the direction of the arrow S1 and, by contact with its outer circumferential surface which is provided with (non-illustrated) pins, needles or the like, the sliver 7 is separated into individual component fibers. Such carding rollers are well known and require no detailed discussion.

The separated fibers 8 are conveyed into the channel 9 by the rotational movement of the carding roller 2, and are carried along through the channel 9 by the fact that centrifugal ejection of air from the rotary spinning chamber 11 through the air outlet or escape openings thereof causes the aspiration of a continuous iiow of air through the open side of the spinning chamber and through the channel 9 from the ambient atmoshpere, as indicated by the arrow S2. This ow of air causes the fibers 8 to advance along the channel 9 and to be ejected from the outlet of the channel 9 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the inner circumferential wall surface 15 of the spinning chamber 11. Now these fibers slide along this wall surface 15 to the grooves 16 where they become twisted together and form the yarn 23 which is continuously withdrawn through the hollow pin 22 from the spinning chamber.

Along with the lfibers 8, dust and other contaminants enter the interior of the spinning chamber. According to the invention the air iiow which conveys the separated fibers 8 through the channel 9 into the spinning chamber 11, is reiiected off the -wall surface 1S and contacts, before it can exit through the air escape openings 17, the projection or projections 18 or 21, respectively, which are provided on the portion 19 of the housing 1. This breaks up or dissipates the air stream, superimposing upon it a pulsating motion which blows or whirls the dust and contaminants off whatever surface portions they have settled in the interior of the spinning chamber 11, so that they can be entrained by the air which passes through the apertures 17 and be carried out to the ambient atmosphere. This results in a self-cleaning action of the spinning chamber 11, avoiding the disadvantages outlined above with respect to the prior art.

The present invention thus provides for a continuous cleaning of the interior of the spinning chamber of dust and other contaminants at all times at which the spinning chamber is in rotation, avoiding the necessity for frequent stoppages and manual cleaning by an attendant, avoiding the necessity to have an attendant present for this purpose, and reducing the number of yarn breakages while increasing the quality of the yarn produced.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions difiering from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a device for spindleless spinning, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a method of spindleless spinning, the steps of rotating a hollow spinning chamber about an axis which intersects an open side of said spinning chamber normal to the general plane of such open side whereby, as a result of centrifugal ejection of air through apertures in the wall of said spinning chamber, a fiow of air is continuously aspirated through said open side into and sweeps in laminar flow through said chamber; feeding a stream of fibers into said open side for centrifugal deposition on an inner circumferential surface of said chamber, and conversion into a yarn; and effecting deterioration of said laminar flow by superimposing upon it a pulsing motion prior to ejection through said apertures, for dislodging and ejecting with said air particulate contaminants tending to accumulate in said chamber and in said apertures.

2. In a method as defined in claim 1; and further comprising reflecting said tiow of air off said inner circumferential surface prior to superimposing of said pulsing motion.

3. In a method as defined in claim 1; and further cornprising withdrawing said yarn continuously from said spinning chamber.

4. In a device for spindlcless spinning, in combination, a hollow spinning chamber having a peripheral wall, air escape apertures in said wall, an interior circumferential surface, and an open side; mounting means mounting said spinning chamber for rotation about an axis normal to the general plane of said open side; fiber supply means adjacent said open side and comprising a carding roller, and a fiber supply channel inclined in the direction of rotation of said carding roller and having an inlet communicating with the latter for receiving carded fibers and an outlet adjacent said interior circumferential surface and oriented for discharging fibers thereonto in direction substantially normal to said surface; and means for superimposing upon a continuous stream of air which is aspirated into and sweeps in laminar fiow through said chamber in response to centrifugal expulsion of air through said escape apertures, a pulsing motion so as to effect dislodging and entrainment by said air of particulate contaminants in said chamber.

5. In a device as defined in claim 4, wherein said channel comprises a bend in the region upstream of and proximal to said outlet.

6. In a device as defined in claim 4, wherein said outlet is directly adjacent said surface.

7. In a device as defined in claim 4, said means comprising at least one projection extending into said spinning chamber from said open side thereof.

8. In a device as defined in claim 7, wherein said projection is wing-shaped.

9. In a device as defined in claim 7, wherein said projection is rib-shaped.

10. In a device as defined in claim 7, said fiber supply means comprising a casing having wall means proximal to said open side and provided with said fiber supply channel; and wherein said at least one projection is provided on said wall means and extends from the same into said spinning chamber.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,511,044 5/1970 Stary 57-58.91 3,411,283 11/1968 Isomura 57-58.89

JOHN PETRAKES, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 57-58.95, 156 

